Last Updated: 16 October 2026
So, you’ve decided you want to study in Australia. Amazing choice!
Great universities, beautiful beaches and a lifestyle that’s pretty hard to beat. But before you can start planning weekend trips to the Gold Coast or Melbourne’s famous coffee spots, there’s one big thing you need: an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
Now, I know what you’re thinking. The whole visa process sounds complicated, right? The truth is, it doesn’t have to be. We’ve helped thousands of students go through this exact journey and once you know the key steps, it all feels a lot more doable. Let’s walk through it together.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to lodge a student visa application.
- From 2 October 2026, most student visa applications must be lodged from outside Australia. Some exemptions apply.
- Partners and children generally cannot be included in a new application unless an exemption applies.
- You answer the Genuine Student questions in the online application form. Each answer has a 150-word limit, and supporting documents matter.
- You need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You may also need English test results and evidence of funds.
Disclaimer
Remember that rules can change anytime. Make sure to check the Department of Home Affairs website before you apply or speak to one of our education agents at Pathway to Aus.
What are the New Student Visa Rules?
New student visa rules started on 2 October 2026. They apply to applications lodged on or after that date. Applications lodged earlier are assessed under the rules in place when they were lodged. This affects the following:
Where You Apply From
Most applications must now be lodged from outside Australia. You must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Holders of many temporary visas cannot lodge a student visa application in Australia. This includes visitor, working holiday, temporary graduate and temporary work visas.
Current student visa holders can apply for another course in Australia only if an exemption applies. Examples include:
- Finishing your current course within 12 months of its original end date, with the same provider
- Moving to a higher-level course after completing your main course
- PhD study
- Primary or secondary school study
- Sponsorship by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or Defence
- An education provider default
Bringing Family Members
Partners and children generally cannot be included in a new student visa application. Adding family after your visa is granted is no longer available.
But exemptions apply to PhD students, DFAT or Defence-sponsored students, foreign government scholarship holders, and eligible students from Pacific and ASEAN countries.
Changing Providers
Until 30 June 2027, most non-school students need to complete 12 months of their principal course before transferring. The Government has also announced a new transfer stream for 2027. However, this is not enforced yet.
See how the new rules apply to you
Your options depend on your visa history and circumstances. Read our full subclass 500 student visa guide or check the official Home Affairs student visa changes page.
Steps to Applying for a Student Visa in Australia
Step 1: Get Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
First things first, you’ll need what’s called a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Think of it like your golden ticket. Without it, you can’t apply for the visa. Your school in Australia issues it once you’ve accepted their Letter of Offer and locked in your spot. It includes details like your name, course start and end dates and a special code you’ll need for the application.
No CoE, no visa. So this is always your starting point.
Step 2: Arrange Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Health insurance may not sound exciting but it’s a must. Every international student needs OSHC for their entire stay in Australia.
Here’s the trick most people miss. Your OSHC should cover not just your course dates but a little extra before and after. Why? Because if your OSHC ends the same day as your course, Immigration might only give you a visa until then. Imagine finishing your last class and realizing your visa ends the same day. Not fun at all.
Play it safe and add a buffer.
Step 3: Show English Skills and Financial Capacity
Depending on where you’re from, you may need to show proof of your English proficiency by taking an approved English test. Home Affairs does not accept tests taken entirely online or at home so get a test from IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the minimum IELTS Academic score is 6.0 overall. The minimum is lower if your main course comes with ELICOS, a foundation program or an eligible pathway program. Use the Home Affairs Document Checklist tool to see what applies to you.
Another requirement that may be required is to show financial evidence that proves you can pay for your tuition, living costs and travel. Immigration sets a minimum but here’s a tip from experience. Don’t just show the bare minimum. If they ask for AUD $40,000, show $41,000 or more. Exchange rates shift and you don’t want to risk getting refused because you were a few dollars short.
Home Affairs sets the living cost at AUD29,710 for a student for 12 months. You can also show that your parents or partner earned at least AUD87,856 in the 12 months before you apply. Tax assessments less than 12 months old are accepted for this. Bank statements are not.
Home Affairs may request this evidence later, even if the checklist does not. Exchange rates move, so some applicants show a margin above the minimum.
Estimate the funds you may need to show
Use our calculator to estimate the financial capacity evidence for your student visa application. Check the result against the Home Affairs figures before you lodge. Try the free student visa financial calculator.
Step 4: Answer the Genuine Student Questions
This step is where a lot of people stumble. The Genuine Student Statement (formerly GTE) is basically your chance to explain why you’re coming to Australia to study and why it makes sense for your future.
You’ll want to cover:
- Why you picked this course and institution.
- Why you’re studying in Australia instead of at home.
- How the course fits into your career plans.
You answer the GS questions in the online application form. Home Affairs prefers this to a separate statement. Each answer is limited to 150 words and must be in English.
And here’s the important part, don’t just tell, show. Back up what you say with documents. If you say you completed a similar course back home, attach your certificate. If you’ve got a job offer waiting, upload the letter. Immigration officers like proof and not just promises.
Get a second opinion on your Genuine Student answers
A registered migration agent can go through your answers and supporting documents with you. Speak with a registered agent in a free education consultation.
Step 5: Collect Your Supporting Documents
Think of your visa application like putting together a puzzle. That every piece matters.
Here’s what you might need:
- Education certificates.
- Job records or offer letters.
- Bank statements or sponsor letters.
When everything lines up, your application tells a clear story. That’s exactly what Immigration wants to see. Remember to check the Document Checklist just before you submit. Then lodge online through ImmiAccount. Processing times vary, so lodge well before your course starts.
Step 6: Decide Whether You Want Expert Help
Can you apply on your own? Absolutely! But here’s the thing. The Australian student visa rules change often and small mistakes can cause big delays. That’s why many students choose to work with an education and migration agent.
At Pathway to Aus, we help students:
- Find the right course.
- Write strong Genuine Student Statements.
- Prepare and lodge visa applications properly.
- Navigate the little details that make a big difference.
It’s like having someone in your corner who knows the playbook.
Final Thoughts
Applying for a student visa might feel overwhelming at first. But once you break it down, it’s just a series of steps: CoE, OSHC, English and financials, Genuine Student Statement, and supporting documents. Do those right and you’re well on your way to studying (and living your best life) in Australia.
And if you’d rather not go it alone, we’re here to help. At Pathway to Aus, we offer FREE education consultation. We’ve guided thousands of students through this process with a success rate way above the industry average. So, if you’re ready to make your Australian study dream a real deal, let’s make it happen together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a student visa from inside Australia?
Most student visa applications lodged on or after 2 October 2026 must be made from outside Australia. Current student visa holders can apply onshore only if an exemption applies. Holders of many other temporary visas, such as visitor, working holiday and temporary graduate visas, cannot lodge a student visa application in Australia.
Can I include my partner or children in a student visa application?
Generally not, for new applications from 2 October 2026. Exemptions apply to PhD students, students sponsored by DFAT or Defence, foreign government scholarship holders, and eligible students from Pacific and ASEAN countries. Family members can no longer be added after the visa is granted.
Do I still need to write a Genuine Student Statement?
Home Affairs asks the Genuine Student questions in the online application form and prefers that to a separate statement. Each answer is limited to 150 words and must be in English. Supporting documents are encouraged, and Home Affairs gives more weight to statements backed by evidence.
How much does a student visa cost?
The visa application charge starts from AUD2,500. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island, Timor-Leste and ASEAN citizens, and to some ELICOS and Non-Award applicants. Use the Visa Pricing Estimator to work out your exact cost.
How much money do I need to show?
It depends on your Document Checklist result. Home Affairs sets the living cost at AUD29,710 for a student for 12 months. You also need to cover travel, 12 months of course fees and any school fees for children travelling with you. Alternatively, you can show that your parents or partner earned at least AUD87,856 in the past 12 months.
What English test score do I need?
Not every applicant needs a test, so check your Document Checklist. For IELTS Academic taken on or after 7 August 2025, the minimum is 6.0 overall. It is 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS, a foundation program or an eligible pathway program. It is 5.0 with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS. Tests taken entirely online or at home are not accepted.
Can I work on a student visa?
Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session. Check the conditions on your own visa, because they can differ.
Can I change education providers after I arrive?
As an interim measure until 30 June 2027, most non-school students need to complete 12 months of their principal course before transferring. Limited exceptions exist, such as when a provider or course stops being registered. Check with Home Affairs and your provider before you enrol elsewhere.
